MANHATTAN BRIDGE

Not as well known as the Brooklyn and Queensboro Bridges, the Manhattan Bridge is a standout among New York City bridges and is easily distinguishable due to its blue and white colors.  Sunlight bouncing off of it in the late afternoon further highlights its true beauty.  On its 100th anniversary on December 30, 2009, the New York Times accurately referred to this bridge as the  bridge with no respect. 

The Manhattan Bridge, which opened on December 31, 1909, was the last of three suspension bridges to be constructed across the East River.  It connects lower Manhattan with the borough of Brooklyn.  It was designed by Ralph Modjeski, a Polish bridge engineer, and its deflection cables were designed by Leon Moisseiff.  There are seven lanes for vehicles and four mass transit subway tracks that cross the bridge.  Wonderful views of downtown Manhattan can be seen from the subway cars as they cross over the East River.   

The best places to view the Manhattan Bridge are the Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn Heights, South Street near the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan, and at the end of Allen Street on the Lower East Side.  The bridge has been featured in a beautiful scene in Once Upon A Time in America, the Sergio Leone’s film.